Good morning friends! I’m Darian and I can’t wait to share my favorite smoothie bowl recipes with you today. As a busy mom of three kids and two dogs, quick and healthy breakfasts are a must at our house! Smoothie bowls have become our go-to morning meal because they’re packed with fruit, protein and fiber. The best part is you can customize them a million different ways. I’ll give you my pro tips for making the perfect smoothie bowl, fun ways to top and serve them, frequently asked questions, and why whipping up a smoothie bowl is my favorite morning ritual. Let’s dive in!
Smoothie Bowl
Equipment
- 1 bag
- 3 bowls
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 3 Bananas
- 1 cup Coconut milk
- 2 Dates
- 2 cups Frozen fruit
- 1 tsp Chia seeds
- 1 tbsp Sunflower seeds
- 2 Kiwi
Instructions
- Chop up 1 banana, place it into a bag ( I really like the Stasher bags, but any Ziploc bag will work) and toss it into the freezer. It's best to do this the night before, that way the banana gets really frozen. If you plan on making lots of these, then chop up lots and toss them all in the freezer that way whenever you want to make a smoothie bowl the frozen bananas are ready.
- Place the 2 dates into a bowl of warm water and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
- Using your blender toss in 2 cups frozen fruit, 1 frozen banana. Blend for about 3 minutes.
- While thats starting to blend, quickly chop up your dates.
- After 3 minutes of blending, open up the blender and add in the dates and coconut milk.
- Continue to blend for another 3 minutes.
- While it's continuing to blend, peel and slice your kiwi and banana.
- Once done, and the smoothie is a thick consistency pour into 2 bowls.
- Place the kiwi and banana on top of each bowl, and sprinkle on the chia seeds and sunflower seeds.
Video
Notes
Tips
The trick to getting that luscious, ice cream-like texture in your smoothie bowls is all about the ingredients. Follow these tips:
The liquids you use impact the texture. For ultra thick smoothies, try:
- Frozen coconut water – Adds natural creaminess as it blends.
- Frozen milk cubes – Use dairy or non-dairy milk.
- Avocado – Provides healthy fats for a creamy blend.
- Nut butter – A tablespoon of nut butter makes smoothies rich.
- Banana – Provides natural sweetness and thickness.
- Greek yogurt – Much thicker than regular yogurt.
Some ingredients naturally thicken and add body to smoothies. Great options are:
- Oats – Quick oats blend easily into creamy goodness.
- Chia seeds – They swell and become gelatinous when blended with liquid.
- Flaxseeds – Similar to chia, finely ground flaxseeds add thickness.
- Cottage cheese – Packed with protein, cottage cheese makes smoothies extra creamy.
- Silken tofu – Blends into smoothies seamlessly while adding protein.
- Cooked sweet potato – Surprisingly makes smoothies extra thick and creamy.
Having the right blender makes all the difference for smoothie bowl texture. High-powered blenders like Vitamix or Blendtec are best for breaking down frozen ingredients into a silky puree. But you can also use an average blender – just blend a bit longer. Blend on high speed for at least 1-2 minutes.
Storing & Serving Smoothie Bowl
The fun part is piling your smoothie bowl high with delicious toppings! Get creative with:
- Fresh fruit – Berries, bananas, mango, kiwi, etc.
- Nuts and seeds – Chopped almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp hearts.
- Granola – For added crunch and texture.
- Nut butters – Swirl on peanut, almond or sunflower seed butter.
- Shredded coconut – Toasted coconut flakes are delicious.
- Cacao nibs – For chocolate lovers!
Smoothie bowls are best fresh but here are some storage tips:
- Pour leftover smoothie into popsicle molds for yummy fruit pops!
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Add fresh toppings before enjoying.
- Freeze pre-blended smoothie in portions for grab-and-go breakfasts. Thaw overnight.
- Mix with oats and chia seeds for an overnight oats parfait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular yogurt?
Sure, but Greek yogurt makes them thicker. Use full-fat yogurt for best texture.
Do smoothies bowls require certain equipment?
A high speed blender or food processor works best to get them ultra smooth.
What fruits work best?
Frozen bananas and mixed berries are my favorite base. Mangos, pineapple, peach also work well.
How long will they keep in the fridge?
Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Add fresh toppings before serving.
I’ve always struggled with not having much appetite first thing in the morning. Smoothie bowls are the perfect solution! I can sip them slowly and the coldness helps wake me up. Blending them the night before makes our rushed morning routine so much easier.
And I love getting creative with fun toppings each day! Some mornings I load them up with berries and almonds. Other days I’ll do a tropical vibe with mango, coconut and cacao nibs. They keep breakfast interesting and pack in all the nutrients we need to start the day off right. I hope you’ll give smoothie bowls a try – they are a game changer! Let me know your favorite smoothie bowl recipes and toppings. I’m always looking for new ideas! Have a healthy and happy day!